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Blanco County Mysteries #13
Free Ride
Safari Adventure is a small but popular zoo that entertains visitors from all over Texas—until one morning when most of the animals escape and a body is found on the premises. Game warden John Marlin works closely with the sheriff’s office, at first to capture the animals, and then to solve the mystery of the missing zookeeper. But local good old boys Red O’Brien and Billy Don Craddock just might figure it all out first, after they pick up a hitchhiker with a questionable past and some inside information that makes him a prime suspect.
- GenresMystery
310 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 22, 2020
About the author
Ben Rehder
81 books286 followersBen Rehder wanted to become a writer ever since he was dropped on his head as a toddler. As he grew into a young adult and the vertigo gradually dissipated, his passion for literature grew. Ben longed to craft the type of soul-stirring prose that would touch people’s lives and help them explore new emotional horizons. But he went to work at an ad agency instead.
Throughout his rewarding and fruitful career in the ad business, Ben has been known to write such imaginative and compelling phrases as “Act now!,” “Limited-time offer,” and “Compatible with today’s rapidly changing network environment.”
However, there eventually came a time when, as unbelievable as it sounds, writing brochures and spec sheets simply wasn’t enough to satisfy Ben’s creative urges. Ben knew: It was time to write a novel.
“But what kind of novel?” Ben asked himself, drawing stares from passersby.
A mystery? A thriller? A work of suspense? Ben had read hundreds of books in these genres and loved them all. But nothing had sparked his creative juices enough to try it himself.
Fate played a hand one day when Ben’s father-in-law tossed him a copy of a Carl Hiaasen novel. And then it hit him. It literally hit him, right in the forehead. When the swelling went down and Ben had a chance to read the book, he discovered a type of fiction he had never experienced before—the comic crime novel! He loved the wacky characters, the zany plots, the interesting writing that threw a good deal of humor into the mix.
So Ben set out to write his own novel. After many grueling minutes in front of a computer, Ben was proud to present Buck Fever. Like many best-selling classics, Buck Fever has lots and lots of verbs, prepositions, adjectives, and the occasional gerund. It was even nominated for the Edgar Award for Best First Novel!
Next came Bone Dry, Flat Crazy, Guilt Trip, Gun Shy, and Holy Moly. Best of all, Ben is now releasing the earlier novels in ebook format at the low low price of just $2.99. What a deal!
Throughout his rewarding and fruitful career in the ad business, Ben has been known to write such imaginative and compelling phrases as “Act now!,” “Limited-time offer,” and “Compatible with today’s rapidly changing network environment.”
However, there eventually came a time when, as unbelievable as it sounds, writing brochures and spec sheets simply wasn’t enough to satisfy Ben’s creative urges. Ben knew: It was time to write a novel.
“But what kind of novel?” Ben asked himself, drawing stares from passersby.
A mystery? A thriller? A work of suspense? Ben had read hundreds of books in these genres and loved them all. But nothing had sparked his creative juices enough to try it himself.
Fate played a hand one day when Ben’s father-in-law tossed him a copy of a Carl Hiaasen novel. And then it hit him. It literally hit him, right in the forehead. When the swelling went down and Ben had a chance to read the book, he discovered a type of fiction he had never experienced before—the comic crime novel! He loved the wacky characters, the zany plots, the interesting writing that threw a good deal of humor into the mix.
So Ben set out to write his own novel. After many grueling minutes in front of a computer, Ben was proud to present Buck Fever. Like many best-selling classics, Buck Fever has lots and lots of verbs, prepositions, adjectives, and the occasional gerund. It was even nominated for the Edgar Award for Best First Novel!
Next came Bone Dry, Flat Crazy, Guilt Trip, Gun Shy, and Holy Moly. Best of all, Ben is now releasing the earlier novels in ebook format at the low low price of just $2.99. What a deal!
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
June 12, 2020
It all starts simple enough. Okay, maybe not that simple. Someone breaks in to the exotic animal zoo and lets a lot of the animals run loose. Warden John Marlin is not amused. The case definitely turns serious when a dead body is found that nobody can identify. A mob hit from Boston, in Blanco County? Red and Billy Don pick up a hitch hiker who, it turns out, has a gun, which he says he found on the side of the road (yeah, right). It happens to be the same caliber as the gun that killed the guy at the zoo. The owner of the zoo has completely disappeared, but that is a separate story. Meanwhile, back at the zoo, a shot rings out. Marlin goes to investigate but the suspect gets away. All the action and humor you have come to expect from this excellent series.
January 26, 2021
I enjoyed this book. Although it did jump around a lot from both different character perspectives and in time, so it certainly keeps you on your toes. This is book thirteen and you don't need to listen to the book in order to enjoy them as each book are stand alone stories, a few incidents from previous books are mentioned but it is just in passing and not knowing what happened has no effect on the story, just brings back a few memories and chuckles. This book contains all the love able characters in the form of John Marlin, Billy Don and Red and let's face it the series wouldn't be the same without them. I am not sure the book was as funny as normal and Red has learnt from his last mistakes (?!?) but it certainly was a fun listen.
John Marlin the game warden is called to the scene of a strange event. A zebra is standing in the middle of the road. He is use to deer sightings but llamas? It seems that a few of the animals from a local zoo have escaped and they aren't the only ones to make a break for it. A dead body is found on the grounds but he wasn't killer by the animals. He was killed with a gun and the owner of the zoo has gone missing. Are the two connected? The animals are easily dealt with but the murder investigation is a bit more complicated. At the same time as Marlin is digging into the zoo trying to identify the dead man, Red and Billy Don pick up a hitchhiker not far from the zoo. The hitchhiker is keeping secrets and Red is determined to ferret them out.
I like the narrator, he does a good job with all the different voices.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
John Marlin the game warden is called to the scene of a strange event. A zebra is standing in the middle of the road. He is use to deer sightings but llamas? It seems that a few of the animals from a local zoo have escaped and they aren't the only ones to make a break for it. A dead body is found on the grounds but he wasn't killer by the animals. He was killed with a gun and the owner of the zoo has gone missing. Are the two connected? The animals are easily dealt with but the murder investigation is a bit more complicated. At the same time as Marlin is digging into the zoo trying to identify the dead man, Red and Billy Don pick up a hitchhiker not far from the zoo. The hitchhiker is keeping secrets and Red is determined to ferret them out.
I like the narrator, he does a good job with all the different voices.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
February 25, 2021
Format: audiobook
Narrator: Johnny Peppers
I believe this is book 13 in this series, wow I’m surprised because this many books in you could be excused for thinking they’d get old but nope not this series, the same lovable characters and enjoyable humour as well as a well constructed and intriguing plot with twists and turns that eventually all come together to tie up the case.
I love the visual of game warden John Marlon leading the escaped animals back into the zoo and the banter of the deputies over the radio about it.
A fun entertaining listen with a narrator that does it justice, a series that I can easily listen to again.
Narrator: Johnny Peppers
I believe this is book 13 in this series, wow I’m surprised because this many books in you could be excused for thinking they’d get old but nope not this series, the same lovable characters and enjoyable humour as well as a well constructed and intriguing plot with twists and turns that eventually all come together to tie up the case.
I love the visual of game warden John Marlon leading the escaped animals back into the zoo and the banter of the deputies over the radio about it.
A fun entertaining listen with a narrator that does it justice, a series that I can easily listen to again.
March 31, 2020
Lucky 13
I've read the series and was relieved to discover that Free Ride continues in the fine tradition of the previous books, with the humor intact and with the colorful, likeable, interesting characters I've come to know and love. There wasn't as much incremental character evolution in this one, but I appreciate that Mr. Rehder stays true to his great characters and doesn't try any weirdness. This was a treat to read, with twists that I never expected.
I've read the series and was relieved to discover that Free Ride continues in the fine tradition of the previous books, with the humor intact and with the colorful, likeable, interesting characters I've come to know and love. There wasn't as much incremental character evolution in this one, but I appreciate that Mr. Rehder stays true to his great characters and doesn't try any weirdness. This was a treat to read, with twists that I never expected.
May 6, 2020
It was great to hang out with Red, Billy Don and Marlin again. I'm a real sucker for series books and the Blanco County series has really engaging characters. This book wasn't as funny as some of the other books in the series and it was too long...but I'm still looking forward to the next episode of life in Blanco County, Texas.
May 25, 2022
The entire Blanco County series is 5 star books and this one doesnt disappoint either. It's a laugh out loud read. Added bonus, Ben is a helluva a nice guy, generous to his fans ( I won a Red and Billy Don bumper sticker in one of his FB contests) and even replied my email when I told him I found his first book all the way in Singapore in 2002! Read this series, you'll be glad you did
January 30, 2024
The Blanco County mystery series are decent mysteries with a good helping of Texas redneck humor. This mystery was a little more involved than many of the previous books and maybe had a little less humor as well. Rehder is to Texas as Hiassen is to Florida. This is one of the better series I have enjoyed as part of Kindle Unlimited. 3.75 stars and recommended if you want a funny mystery.
April 3, 2020
This book was just what I needed right now. I’ve read all the other books in this series and the characters are like old friends. Choose any of Ben Ryder’s book in this series (free on kindle unlimited) and be prepared to smile.
May 3, 2020
Love Ben Rehder. His characters are genuine and his plots are intriguing and captivating. No excess drama, nor any over-masculine hero dude. Just a decent guy doing his job. Same with his other series. Live in Austin, so it’s a bonus when the characters drive on my freeways and go to my Chuy’s.
May 26, 2022
Free Ride
These books are always entertaining. The first one I read was more about Billy Don and Red the time they bought the monster cedar slasher. Laughed til I cried over that one. They have all been great reads for me.
These books are always entertaining. The first one I read was more about Billy Don and Red the time they bought the monster cedar slasher. Laughed til I cried over that one. They have all been great reads for me.
June 1, 2025
Great story
Really really good book. The plot was interesting, the dialogue was tight and on point and the characters well thought out and put together for. Another win for the good guys
Really really good book. The plot was interesting, the dialogue was tight and on point and the characters well thought out and put together for. Another win for the good guys
May 7, 2026
Well, I read this one sometime ago and wrote a brief review then. Where that review has gone I know not, nor do I remember details of what I wrote. In any event, it’s written by Ben Rehder so I know I enjoyed it, though it wasn’t in his top three in my estimation.
October 11, 2020
Another good Blanco County book. Very first sentence made me LOL.
November 4, 2020
Most of the animals escape from a zoo plus there is a dead body inside the gate. I am so sad that this is the last of the Blanco county mystery series. I just love them.
January 18, 2021
Usually the magic of a series wears off around the 10th or 11th novel release. These just do not. Same entertainment in this latest installment as in the first few ones I read!
April 14, 2021
Love this series!
Read
June 9, 2021Still haven't started
October 23, 2023
The usual hijinks. It seems that the two rednecks always have an inside scoop. The police should listen to them.
December 1, 2023
Doesn't Disappoint
I always enjoy another book in the Blanco County series. The stories are layered and nuanced and the characters are always entertaining.
I always enjoy another book in the Blanco County series. The stories are layered and nuanced and the characters are always entertaining.
August 25, 2020
Another fun read
Another mystery to solve, more Red and Billy Don, and more fun. Very much enjoyed this book. Can't wait for more
Another mystery to solve, more Red and Billy Don, and more fun. Very much enjoyed this book. Can't wait for more
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews